Looking at this BBC map https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-54373904 (bottom of the page) of the UK, it really doesn't seem credible that all of the 'problem' areas are noth of a line running from tht Wash to the river Severn. I smell a gigantic rat!

No 'hot spots' in the SE or the SW, with all of their dense populations and numerous universities. Do me a favor! There's some statistical manipulations going on here for sure.